Multiple base plug receptacle



May 19, 1931. M. J. DE MASK 1,805,572

MULTIPLE BASE PLUG RECEPTACLE Filed July 5. 1927 gwuentoz M. LDEME1 5k:51, @JQ, M

, Patented May 19, 1931 UNITED STATES MARTIN J. DE MASK, OF PITTSFIELD,MASSACHUSETTS MULTIPLE BASE PLUG BECEPTAOLE Application filed July5,1927. Serial No. 203,505.

This invention relates to electric fixtures and more particularly to anoutlet whereby a lamp, fan or other article or appliance may beconnected to the service line from which the current is derived in amanner well understood.

The invention provides an outlet to which a number of electricappliances may Joe coupled and which provides for adjustment of theplugs to a convenient or advantageous position, displacement from theoutlet being prevented while provision is had for making and breakingthe circuit by rotation of the plug.

While the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention,it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needsand requirements, the design may be Varied and changes in the minordetails of construction may be resorted to within the scope of theinvention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof,reference is to be had to the following description and the drawingshereto attached, in which,- v

Figure 1 is a front view of a multiple base plug receptacle embodyingthe invention, an end portion being broken away and showing two plugs inposition, one of said plugs being electrically connected to the serviceline and the other out 01f from the current supply.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the fixture.

Figure 3 is a side View of a plug. Corresponding and like parts arereferred to in the following description and designated in the severalviews of the drawing by like reference characters. 1

The multiple base plug receptacle comprises a casing 1 which may be ofany length.

The casing 1 usually consists of metal, and

in the preferable construction is formed of sheet metal in the form of astrip which is bent intermediate its longitudinal edges to enclose aspace 2 which is open at its front, as indicated at 3. The upper andlower walls of the casin 1 are channeled adjacent the front, asindlcated at 4, said channels being formed by crimping the sheet metal.The

casing or receptacle 1 is set into an opening formed in the wall, ceilinor like part, as

indicated most clearly in igure 2. The front portion of the casing orreceptacle projects beyond the surface of the wall to expose thechannels 4.

A lining 5 of insulating material, such as fiberoid, is snugly fittedwithin the casing 01' receptacle 1, and its front is open toregisterwith the opening 3 in the front of the casing, whereby provision is hadfor longitudinal movement of the plug 6. Two conduits 7 are formedwithin the lining 5 and each receives a conducting strip 8 of a lengthsubstantially coextensive with the length of the receptacle. Theconducting strips 8 are hollow and the inwardly presented sides areformed with longitudinal openings upon which border inwardly extendinglips 9 which flare outwardly and come together at their inner edges.When the plugs 6 are adjusted to make electrical connection with thestrips 8 the lips 9 are pressed apart and engage opposite sides of thecontacts 10, thereby assuring a firm and positive connection. Slots 11are formed in the walls of the conduits 7 facing the plug receivingspace to receive the contacts 10, projecting radially from the plugs,when the plugs 6 are turned to project said contacts through slots 11and between the lips 9 of the conducting strips 8. Ribs 12 project intothe plug receiving space of the receptacle from opposite walls of thelining 5, and are adapted to engage the plugs 6 and preventdisengagement thereof from the receptacle. An annular groove 13, formedin the body of the plug, receives the ribs 12, thereby forminginterlocking means between the plug and receptacle. The ribs 12 are ofhalf round outline and the annular groove 13 is of correspondingformation to snugly fit 90 the ribs. The opening 3 is of a widthcorresponding to the diameter of the body of the plug 6, it beingunderstood that the plug 6 is circular in cross section, and the ribs 12are cut away at one end, as indicated most 95 clearlyin Figure 1 toadmit of the plugs being placed within the receptacle or removedtherefrom. When a plug is placed in position and moved along thereceptacle the annular groove 13 receives the ribs 12, therebypreventing displacement of the plugs. Rotation" of the plugs to pressthe contacts 10 through the slots 11 and between the lips 9- of theconducting strips 8 establishes electrical connection. To break theconnection the plug 6 is rotated to withdraw the contact 10 fromengagement-with the strips 8 and from the conduits 7. Projections 14 areformed upon the sides of the plug adjacent its outer face and serve asindicators to make known the position of the plugs in the dark. Theseprojections 14 also serve to enable a firm grip to be obtained upon theplug when it is desired to rotate the same to make or break the circuit,.as required. The numeral 15 designates the service line and the wiresthereof are electrically connected to the conducting strips 8, wherebycurrent is supplied thereto.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An electric outlet comprising a base plug receptacle having anopening in one side extending the full length thereof to permit travelof an inserted plug, conducting strips within the receptacle extendingthrough the length thereof at one side of the opening and electricallyinsulated from one another, a plug of circular cross section insertibleendwise through the opening in the receptacle and movable sidewise alongthe receptacle, means to retain the plug in the receptacle, and contactsprojecting radially from the plug whereby rotation of the plug withinthe receptacle at any point in the length of the latter will engage thecontacts with the conducting strips or disengage them therefrom.

2. An electric outlet comprising a base plug receptacle having anopening in one side extending from end to end thereof, conducting stripswithin the receptacle at one side of the opening and extending throughthe length of the receptacle, each of the strips comprising spacedportions having longitudinal lips bordering upon the opening in thereceptacle and normally in contact, a plug of circular cross sectioninsertible endwise through the opening of the receptacle and rotatablein the receptacle and flat contacts projecting radially from the plugwhereby upon rotation of the plug they will pass between the lips of theconducting strips and pry the same apart to make contact therewith.

3. A multiple base plug receptacle having an opening in one side,internal longitudinal parallel conduits at one side of the opening eachhaving a longitudinal slot in the side presented to the opening andextending the full length of the conduit, conducting strips extendinglongitudinally within the conduits from end to end thereof, a plug ofcircular cross section insertible through the opening in the receptacle,and contacts projecting radially from the plug whereby upon rotation ofthe plug the contacts will pass throughthe slots in the sides of therespective conduits and engage the respective conducting strips.

4. A multiple base plug receptacle having an opening in one side,internal longitudinaLribs at opposite sides of the opening, longitudinalconducting strips at one side of the opening and at opposite sides ofthe rib at the same side of t Cally insulated from one another, a pluinsertible in the opening in the receptac e at ends of the ribs andconstructed to engage the ribs and be retained in the receptac e thereband radial contacts on the plug enga eable with the respectiveconducting strips y rotation of the plug.

5. An electric outlet comprising an elongated receptacle having an openside, conducting strips within the receptacle extending from end to endthereof and electrically insulated from one another, a plug insertibleendwise through the open side ofthe receptacle and movable sidewiselongitudinally of the receptacle and rotatable within the receptacle onits own longitudinal axis, radial contacts on the plug engageable withand disengageable from the conducting strips at any position in thelength of the receptacle by rotation of the plug, and interengagingmeans between the receptacle and plug to prevent displacement of theplug in any adjusted posltion, said means being of less extent than thereceptacle to permit insertion of the plug beside said means.

6. An electric outlet comprising an elongated receptacle having an openside, conducting strips within the receptacle extending from end to endthereof and electrically insulated from one another, a plug insertibleendwise through the open side of the receptacle and movable bodilysidewise longitudinally of the receptacle and rotatable within thereceptacle about its own longitudinal axis, radial contacts on the plugengageable with and disengageable from the conducting strips at anyposition in the length of the receptacle by rotation of the plug, and alongitudinal rib Within the receptacle engaging the side of the plug toprevent displacement thereof, said rib being shorter than the receptacleto permit insertion of the plug at the end of the rib.

7. An electric outlet comprising an elongated receptacle havin an openside, conducting strips within tfie receptacle extending from end to endthereof and electrically insulated from one another, longitudinal ribsextending longitudinally of the receptacle at opposite sides of theopening therein, said.

ribs terminating short of one end of the receptacle, and a pluginsertible endwise through the open sides of the receptacle adjacent theends of the ribs and provided between its ends with an annular grooveadapte opening and electried to engage said ribs whereby the plug may bemoved longitudinall within the receptacle and rotated about 1ts ownlongitudinal axis, the plug having radial oontacts adapted to engage theconducting strips at any position in the length of the receptacle byrotation of the plug.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MARTIN J. DE MASK. [11. s.]

